The early salmon opener delivered a surprise most weren’t expecting — and anglers along the southern Oregon coast are taking full advantage.

Out of Brookings, the season kicked off with some of the most consistent early action seen in a very long time. Opening-day reports pointed to roughly a fish per rod, with some boats finding limits. While most anglers initially focused on lingcod and rockfish, word of a strong early salmon bite quickly shifted attention offshore, with crews scrambling for flashers and mooching rigs as favorable weather windows came into play.

The bite has remained steady, with catch rates hovering around a fish per rod and plenty of boats boxing their two-kings-per-person limits. The majority of fish have been smaller, 5- to 8-pound “feeder kings,” but a growing number of larger, springer-size Chinook are showing, pushing the average size closer to 10 pounds as the week progressed.

Fish are holding high in the water column, keyed in on large bait schools. The most productive water has been between the buoys and out to about 100 feet, particularly along the stretch from Chetco Point down toward Bird Island. Pelican activity has also tipped anglers off to where bait — and salmon — are stacking up.

Tactics have been straightforward but effective. Local charter and sport boats are finding success trolling Fish Flash-style flashers paired with anchovies or red-label herring. While more bait has been spotted farther offshore, crab gear has made trolling those zones challenging, keeping most of the effort concentrated in closer.

A notable portion of the salmon appear to be hatchery fish, though it’s still too early to determine where they came from. Even with a brief midweek slowdown, the fishery remains the most consistent on the Oregon coast right now, and with improved weather on the horizon, effort — and success — should continue to get better.

The king salmon season will run through May 15 from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border. If Alt 1 is selected, the season will continue on through Aug. 31. The two other alternatives have the season resuming in June and running through late August. Currently, you’re allowed two Chinook salmon per day with a minimum size limit of 24 inches.

Marine forecast
Wind and rough seas put a damper on Wednesday’s rockfish and Pacific halibut openers. But winds and seas will diminish significantly by the weekend. Friday is calling for north winds 15 to 20 knots and northwest waves 7 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday looks much improved, with winds out of the north 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 6 feet at nine seconds. The wind will decrease slightly Sunday, coming out of the south up to 5 knots. Waves will be from the northwest 5 feet at 12 seconds and south 1 foot at 12 seconds. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com/. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

Upcoming salmon meetings
April 7-12: PFMC April Meeting in Portland, OR. The Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by the STT. Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 12.
Preseason Report III: Council-Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late April at www.pcouncil.org

April 15-16: CDFW Commission Meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Commission will receive an update on ocean salmon sport fishery regulations in effect in 2026. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and audio available online at https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2026

Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake May 2nd
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday May 2nd at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Lake Marina and Journey’s End between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tournament starts Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. with live well checks. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. $150 fee and a $20 Big Fish option. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr., 707-223-3858.

The Rivers:
Reminder: The Eel River,from its confluence with the SF Eel River upstream to Cape Horn Dam, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek and the Chetco all closed to fishing March 31.

Eel (main stem)
The main stem Eel is rising slightly following Tuesday’s rain event. As of Thursday, flows were 2,200 cfs at Scotia. It’s predicted to reach just above 2,400 cfs, but could fall short. The small increase in flows should do wonders, however. The river was getting clear and the increased flow should add some color back in. The fishing had been pretty good for this late in the season, with plenty of fresh steelhead still making their way upriver. The main stem Eel to the South Fork is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from April 1 through Sept. 30.

Smith River
Nearly three inches of rain fell within the Smith watershed Wednesday. The river went from just under 6 feet at Jed Smith to 9.4 feet. Not much in the way of fishing reports as most anglers have called it a season, but these late-season rises should flush some of the last spawned-out steelhead downriver and could bring in a few fresh ones. The main stem of the Smith will remain open through the end of April from its mouth to the confluence with the Middle and South Forks. The Middle Fork will also remain open through April from its mouth to Patrick’s Creek. The South Fork is open through April, as well, from its mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craig’s Creek to Jones Creek.

Southern Oregon rivers
The Chetco is now closed for the season and reopens in mid-May, when sea-run cutthroat trout fishing is generally good reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Steelhead has been slow since early March, but peak season in January and February was decent,” said Martin. “Spring salmon fishing continues to be slow on the Rogue, but this week’s rains will give flows a much-needed boost. Expect good conditions this weekend.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, the salmon action out of Brookings has been the most consistent on the entire Oregon Coast. “Catch rates were around a fish per rod over the weekend, with slower action Tuesday and Wednesday. The average size has increased to nearly 10 pounds, with plenty of springers in the mix. Fish Flash flashers with anchovies or red label herring are working best for the local charter boats catching fish. The salmon are near the buoys and off of Chetco Point. Nicer weather returns Saturday. Lingcod and rockfish has been very good.”